Okaloosa County, FL — Four principals from the Okaloosa County School District have returned from a transformative professional development experience at the gcLi Leadership Lab in Colorado, an intensive program designed to cultivate courageous, ethical, and student-centered leaders in education.
Through the support of a generous sponsorship from the Leadership Experience Initiative (LEI), the following administrators were selected to participate:
- Lindsey Smith, Fort Walton Beach High School
- Michelle Heck, Choctawhatchee High School
- Heather Graham-Williams, Bruner Middle School
- Jason McClelland, Pryor Middle School
The weeklong experience challenged participants to reflect deeply on their leadership values, strengthen authentic relationships, and explore ways to lead with greater clarity, character, and courage.
“I am truly grateful for the members of LEI and their faith in me to have this experience in pursuit of strengthening the leadership capacity of our community,” said Lindsey Smith. “It has been an incredible week of learning, leading, and reflecting on my impact and the impact of the teams I am blessed to work within.”
Prior to attending the lab, participants engaged in preparatory sessions with the LEI team to maximize the impact of the experience. The program emphasized personal growth and practical leadership strategies that can be applied directly within schools.
“The experience we gained from gcLi in collaboration with LEI was truly invigorating,” added Jason McClelland. “It not only enhanced my leadership skills but also initiated a journey toward developing future student leaders. We are thrilled to empower these students to give back to our wonderful community.”
Superintendent Marcus Chambers praised the principals for their commitment to growth and leadership excellence.
“We are incredibly proud of these leaders and thankful to the Leadership Experience Initiative for making this opportunity possible,” Chambers said. “The insights and inspiration they gained will have a ripple effect across their campuses—and our district—as they continue to lead with purpose and a renewed commitment to student success.”
LEI President Taylor Hood echoed the importance of investing in leadership development.
“LEI believes that strong leadership is the foundation of a thriving school culture,” Hood said. “Investing in gcLi’s training for our principals and their growth will directly impact the success of our schools. In the coming year, we’re excited to expand this work by involving students and empowering them to lead, contribute, and help strengthen our community.”
The Okaloosa County School District remains committed to supporting professional growth and leadership development at all levels. Programs like the gcLi Leadership Lab align with the district’s vision of fostering innovative, student-focused school leaders and building a stronger future for its students and community.